043PREviEW
network you’ll be able to see the marks your fellow
players leave on the world, from literal footprints
to dropped packages you can return to them for a
reward to traversal tools like gap-spanning ladders
or ropes up cliffs.
You can also build larger structures, which provide
even more assistance. Shelters, for example, enable
you to repair damaged gear (and play pop songs);
lockers allow you to manage equipment away from
a base; and charging stations let you charge your
battery energy for tools like the bola gun that wraps
up enemies and the speed skeleton torso that allows
you to use battery charge for a burst of sprinting
speed. At one point Sam hops on a motorbike left by
another player and manages to drive it over a large
bridge spanning a river, erected through the joint
efforts of players across the world.
Simple obstacles like that river can be a challenge
for Sam if you’re not careful, so making effective use
of your own tools and those left behind by other
players is critical. Wade into water that’s too deep
and your stamina will take a dive before you get
swept away, losing some of the cargo on your back
and distressing your Bridge Baby. Once again, the
sensor can help you spot potentially troublesome
areas – things like deep water or slippery moss are
marked by red dots.STRAND AND DELivER
Losing cargo not only means you’re unable
to complete delivery missions, it can also
leave you without equipment. Gone are
the days when Solid Snake could jam an
impossibly large number of items and
weapons down his sneaking trousers.
Every tool Sam takes out into the field
has to be physically present and accounted
for on his person.
As well as mission-vital packages, every
item, from traversal tools to grenades, has
to be put in a box to take with you. It’s up
to you where you stack it, whether that’s on
Sam’s back, strapped to his arms, or carried
like a briefcase... you can even hang boots
from a special boot clip. But to use the items you’ve
brought out into the wilds you’ll need to physically
remove them. Come across extra items on your
journey? It’s another load to take on, if you want
it. These all affect Sam’s stats and how well he can
balance. Lean too far one way and little taps with p
or i are necessary to make sure you stay on track.
A little hover-carrier device, which you can level up
along your journey (and when cargo-less ride like a
hoverboard), can ease this burden.
It’s all about physicality. Simply moving across
the world is a physical challenge that requires
consideration. The need to think about your load
translates into combat as well; fail to stealthily bind
enemies using your ‘strand’ rope and they’ll try to
take you down, but you can whack them with your
many parcels to knock them out. Sometimes you’ll
need to leave your parcels elsewhere in order to gain
better manoeuvrability while you take out a threat,
such as a BT – the mysterious, inky-black Beached
Things linked to Hades, the next world.
There’s stealth, there’s combat, there are missions
and fancy gadgets. Fans of Metal Gear won’t be
disappointed, but it’s the physicality and shared
world of Death Stranding that’s setting it apart – a
whole new strand of its own.FAcTRicK
Between missions you
have to care for Sam in his
private room, almost
like he’s a pet.- TAMA-REEDuS
you don’t have to connect
every settlement. it’s up to
you whether you want to
complete side-missions.- iN ThE AREA
enemy bases have packages
you can steal, and what they
have will change over the
course of the day.- ThE RAiD
Aboveweapons can be both lethal and non-lethal, but running away is always
a better solution than fighting when you’re overwhelmed by enemies.
Above Being aware of what you’re carrying and how it’s
loaded is integral to how you move in Death Stranding.
Above Keeping Sam well-rested between deliveries is
important – that walking takes a toll on his body. His poor feet!
“eVery tOOl Sam
taKeS Out iNtO the
field haS tO Be
PhySically PreSeNt
ON hiS PerSON.”